17 comments:

Partly, the loss was so infuriating because I know I can play better chess than this! I think I didn't handle the pressure of the last game very well, and missing 21...g6 did nothing to settle my nerves. Grrrr.... I hate losing for stupid reasons.

In the first three games I was calm and collected. I managed my time well. I knew what my opponent thought before he did. I saw a few moves ahead. This game I was off-tempo, moving too fast and then too slow. I was surprised by moves. And the finale? How could I fail to look at a simple CHECKING CAPTURE?

Something is seriously wrong with my brain. I fed it vitamins, and DHA, and sleep, and plenty of water. I gave it balanced fuel, but not too close to game-time. And it failed me.

"I suppose if we could we would be pro chess players."

Some champions take their losses very well. Or perhaps that's simply what they choose to show the public. This loss will haunt me for awhile. It will drive me to study harder, too.

Tralala, during the game, after playing ...Re6 I was thinking I could probably trap his queen with ...g6 instead. In post-analysis, I no longer believe this. Then ...Ng5! and I lost my pressure, bishop pair, and imbalance in one swoop. I wanted to win badly so this was a very bitter pill to swallow.

...Rg6 was my way of saying, fine, we can draw if you really want to. Qe7 Re6 Qg5 Rg6 Qd2!? and now he's changed his mind. Argh. He senses weakness.

Glenn, the exchange was annoying, both because it takes me away from familiar pawn structures and because I needed a win to score the trophy. I went for ...Nc6 instead of ...Nf6 as it's less likely to peter out into a draw.

BDK, thanks. My rating went from 1403P to 1446. In a few days, that might be something to be happy about.

BDK is right, you are too hard on yourself. First 3 games looked like they were easy for you. In the 4th game your opponent played very well beginning from 22. Ng5, his plan with moving "f" pawn was really good. There is nothing to be ashamed of when you lose to a decent opponent, just learn and move on. Don't forget, chess school in former USSR was excellent, I can confirm that.You didn't play in many tournaments yet as I know, so don't try to get ahead of yourself, everything will come in time. Second place and raising your rating by 40+ points is very good result.

I agree with the above two comments, you've played relatively few games and have improved alot.

However the fact it hurts is also good, if it drives you on to improve more.

Make a copy of the position and then add it to a folder, look at it and analyse it to see why you erred. Not I missed this or that but why, was it tactics, visualisation or something else to do with positional or stategic play.

My own folder with mistakes is pretty big and the folder with the inspired or interesting moves very small. It does ram it home though better than any annotated game can because of the feelings attached to it.

We can feed are brain well, and be very well prepared, but the psychology of playing for 1st place is a whole different matter. It's not something one can practice per se. However, visualization and meditation can help. I often will calm myself by meditating at the table, and concentrate on proper breathing technique. Trying to clear one's mind of the anxieties related to trying to win the important game is not easy. Some times I'm more successful then other times.

Don't beat yourself up. (LOL I'm one to talk.) Try to learn from the mistakes that occurred over the board, and the mental processes that may have played a part in your loss.

Loss in the final round can be because of fatigue, overconfidence, forgot thinkingproces, all the sudden chess blindness, playing cramped (thinking more about going 4/4 instead of just concentrating on the game).

Always look at a game what it is, just a game. Dont look at it as the championship game it brings to much stress.

Rolling Pawns - I thought that if the f-pawn advanced to f6 it would be weak and fall. I've learned an important lessons about monochromatic bishops!

Will - Good idea. Such a folder would also serve as a motivator when I don't feel like studying. I think I will limit it to serious tournament games.

Polly - My coach and even the TD told me I performed well. In the past three days I've zipped through 100 pgs of Mastering Chess Openings including 30+ games. So maybe I shouldn't balance my mind just yet--I'll stay mad until I get closer to the next tourney. ;)

chesstiger - I was rested and tried to prepare for this particular opponent as best I could with the info I had available to me. "Forgot process" is probably the best fit--I made several moves without checking the tactical implications carefully. ...g6 also showed a lack of understanding... I figured the f-pawn would be "weak".

Well, you didn't really lose. Because everyone knows the Russians do, er, chess steroids or something. So next time, try being miserable that you don't have the bravery to try dangerous performance-enhancing drugs instead.

This year's U.S. Chess Championship, held from May 7 to 17 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis should be more exciting than ever--for the first time since 2006,Hikaru Nakamura and Gata Kamsky are both playing. 24 contenders will compete for a $135,400 guaranteed prize pool. In addition to that, there is a $64,000 Fischer Sweep prize for anyone who can recall Bobby Fischer's 1964 performance and win every game.

I'm also excited about this year's fantasy chess competition where YOU decide who will get more points in match-ups such as Shulman-Onischuk and Krush-Zatonskih. (You are predicting whether Zatonskih or Krush will get more points in the entire event, not what will happen if they are paired together.) Here is a link to play:http://uschess.org/fc_ 2009/ Also see the detailed rules and prizes:http://uschess.org/ content/view/9328/525

This event will be hosted on uschess.org, so to play, you need to register on the site or login (to register as a member, you need your pin number,which you can find on the back of any personal Chess Life label.) You must be an active USCF member to win the prizes which include a Monroi Personal Chess Manager, a signed chess board by all the participants and a copy of Kasparov vs.Karpovsigned by Kasparov to a "Good Guesser".

Once you enter, you can change your picks up to game time on May 8, 2 PM Central by returning to this link:http://uschess.org/fc_2009/ step1.php

I'll be commenting live on the Championship daily along with GM Emil Sutovsky. If you're not in Saint Louis, follow the twitter feed and live streaming on the Internet Chess Club and uschesschamps.com.

On uschess.org, read about club founder Rex Sinquefield and during the event, watch CLO for video wrap-ups, blogs and of course, fantasy updates by Arun Sharma.

Good luck in fantasy chess and no matter how your team does, be sure to get the most out of what should be two very exciting weeks for chess fans!